How to Scat Sing

Fun sing-along exercises to help you master jazz scat singing!

So you want to scat sing? In this post, I’ll show you how! I’ve got a series of fun sing-along exercises that will help you learn how to sing scat, even if you’ve never tried it before.

Scatting for jazz singing is creating nonsense syllables instead of words which gives you the freedom to solo just like a saxophone or trumpeter would. By removing words you have more freedom to play with phrasing and you don’t feel that you have to stick to the main melody so much, which is why its a fantastic tool to use to hog the mic for the whole song (hahaha).

Now, it’s not 100% agreed on, but many jazz musicians say that it was Louis Armstrong the trumpeter who started the whole scat craze. He would inject little bits of scat singing into his performances by copying the sounds he’d make with his trumpet but would use his voice instead. 

Now, to scat properly you need a couple of techniques down pat; good rhythm, great musical ears, and to have found your groove using syllables that feel right for you. Is it easy to scat sing? As in all things, some singers will find it easier than others but it is definitely a skill you can learn. 

So with all that said, let’s jump into your first scat singing lesson!!!!!

Nicola xx

More Scatting Lessons:

Copy Me Jazz Scatting Exercise

How to Add Scat to Your Songs in a Cool Way

Accelerate Your Jazz Scat Singing With This Nifty Trick

How to Sing Jazz Scat

Did you like these videos?

If you found my lesssons helpful, or have any other scat singing techniques you’d like to share, leave me a comment below! xx